Movie at the School Padang

As featured by LAT (the famous cartoonist) in newspapers and books, I was one of those that experience the movies at the school padang. In the late afternoon, the Kementerian Penerangan land rover will pass our house announcing through his loud speakers that there will be free movie at the school padang that night. The school in Senaling would be the Sekolah Kebangsaan Senaling in Bemban.

When the next Kementerian Penerangan van reaches the school padang, we boys and girls will gather there earlier to watch them set up the big screen, the projectors and the power source (normally from a generator). Before we go home for a bath and dinner (to go to the movies tonight), we would have already booked our space in front of the high large screen; but sometimes someone have to stand by at the space to make sure that nobody else claim it. When we come back for the movies that night, our premium spaces are assured.

Most of us will squat or sit on our mats or small chairs that we brought along. Most others will stand to watch the movies. Of course, in between movie, as depicted by LAT, there will be an announcements or statements for the village folks to hear and know direct from the Kementerian Penerangan. It is an excellent way of reaching to the village folks - for things that you want them to hear and know. But, we naughty boys, instead of watching the movies, have other exciting plans. With a torch lights in our hands, we would torch at the squatting girls and peek to their undies. Maybe a cheap thrill, but not to us; but that was then.

Spider Hunting

Besides the spiders that reside in our ceilings or places in the house or barns that we seldom walk into, the only other spider that I have known is the one that catch in the bushes, keep them in match boxes and sometimes make them fight each other.

These spiders are normally found in between leaves in the bushes. They can be found in plants which leaves are as big as our palms. When you see two leaves sticking to one another; and there is some web in between the leaves, surely there will always be a spider residing there. We would cut off both leaves, slowly open it up and capture the small spider. We put them spiders in match boxers normally together with small cuts of the leaves where they were captured. This is to make sure that they feel at home, even though they are in kept in match boxers.

We sometimes fight them, same principle as the fighting fish. They would open up their small fangs (just like crabs) and fight their hearts out. The ones that kept running away is the losing ones. The winner, as usual, will stand tall until his spider is beaten by another. Meanwhile, the spiders will live in the match boxers; with the green leaves that we have kept them with. At times they may just die away.

Pergi Kuala Lipis (Kuala Lipis Trip)

With the money Atuk Usop won from the Lottery, he wanted to visit his relative in Kuala Lipis. The trip from Senaling to Kuala Lipis is expected to take 1 whole day. Atuk Usop hired Pakcik Abok's taxi for 3 days and off we went. The other car is Ulong Leman's white Volkwagen - BH120. The whole family cramped into these 2 cars and we left one very early in the morning. Ina (the eldest of Abah Rahman's) was the 'selalu mabok' one and at every few miles, we have to stop for her to puke by the road side. The plan was to spent the whole of the 2nd day in Kuala Lipis and return home to Senaling on the 3rd day.

We detoured to Fraser's Hill on the way up. We had lunch on the way. The temperature at Fraser's Hill was still cool then. We even drink water from the cool spring water coming out of the hills. It was a long trip; the road from Bentong to Kuala Lipis was still not tarred yet. We had to go along this muddy brown road. Nevertheless, we reach Kuala Lipis late that evening. The house was behind the Kuala Lipis mosque, next to the Pahang River. There were a lot of floating houses; tied to the banks of the river. It was the first time I saw these houses. I do not know if these houses still exists now. We, young boys went swimming by the river's edge and spent the whole of the next day in Kuala Lipis.

We left for home the third day, of which the trip takes us another whole day. Chugging along the muddy Kuala Lipis-Bentong road, we made it home that late evening. Atuk Usop was very happy with the trip; since he had not seen his relative (I do not know how was he related); for a very long time. That was the longest trip I had ever made in a car for many years!

Atok Usop Kena Loteri (Granpa Usop Strike Lottery)

In order to raise money to fund the expenses for maintaining community services in the country, the Government Department responsible for the community used to organise monthly nationwide Lottery draws. The lottery tickets were sold at RM1.00 each and the 1st prize was RM300,000.00 then; drawn monthly. My grandfather used to buy those lottery tickets, hoping to strike it and be an instant rich man. At that time, his pension was RM87.78 per month. He normally spent RM10.00 per month for lottery. The results are published in the newspapers the day after the draw.

One afternoon, he requested me to go to the shop to purchase newspapers as the lottery draw was yesterday. He wants to check if he would be lucky this time around. Took the money and off I went. On the way to the shop, I prayed that he would strike this time, since he had tried so many times before. Since I did not know any praying words then, while walking to the shop, I replicate the daily praying ways from 'takbiratulihram' until 'salaam', chanting in my heart all the 'ayats' and the complete praying procedure including the 'rukuk' and the 'sujuds'. By the time I reached the new stand, I have completed the whole praying procedure for 4 'rakaats'.

What did you know, he strike RM10,000.00! He took it calmly and only smiled. I did not know whether my replicating the praying helped him win the lottery or not. I have never told a soul about it; until now! Winnings can be picked up from any Bank in town. We went to UMBC, Kuala Pilah with a small bag to stash the money and a small 'parang' in the bag; in case of any trouble. However, we were only allowed RM1,000.00 to claim first and the rest have to be claimed when the winning Lottery ticket have been claimed from the Lottery organiser.

It was with that winning money; we went to visit his long lost relative to Kuala Lipis (that's another story) and he also bought the small rubber plantation in Bemban for RM3,750.00 from Haji Habib's father. The rubber plantation where I learned to replant, bud graft, tap and earn money from. The rubber plantation was given to my Kak Ngah Zainab and it is still there!

Pungut Kayu Api (Collecting Firewood)

Before cooking gas and electricity were introduced (ever known) to the 'Kampong folks', we cook everything with fire burnt from wood. The best and mostly available firewood are dead rubber tree branches that fell to the ground. Since we cook everyday, firewood must be available at all times. I was all the times requested to go 'collect' these firewood. Every week or so, with a small 'parang' in hand we will take a walk into the rubber plantation to look for firewood.

Our 'favourite' place to look for firewood was in Ulu Senaling, behind Pakcik Maulud's house; as she has 2 beautiful sweet daughters; Kak Long and Mariah; that we may be able to have a glimpse of. Every young boys are after this bombshell, long hair, fair, sweet and cool Mariah Maulud. Nevertheless, while collecting firewood, our eyes would wander to her house, just to have a glimpse of her at her windows; which most times, we were disappointed. She passed away in 2005, so I was told - may Allah swt bless her soul. These firewood are cut into 6 feet length and tied together with small rattans found in the rubber plantation. Collecting enough, we carry it home on our shoulders.

At times, we found 'damar' in the rubber plantation. 'Damar' is soft stones normally used as fire starters. Whenever we find 'damar' lying around, we will pack them into small bags and carry them home together with the firewood. I would normally go and look for firewood with my two neighbour friends (they are brothers); Ajih Baroh (Hashim Latif) and Ajai (Zainuddin Latif). Wonder where they are now!

Rambutan Kuning (Yellow Rambutan)

This 'rambutan' tree was planted by my grandfather when he first built the house. According to Kak Ngah he must have planted the tree in the early 50s. It is smack right in front of the house. It is big, sweet, juicy and yellow. According to the folks, this is of the best seedling and some called it 'rambutan gading'. Whatever it is, when it fruits, it fruits! There will be lots and lots of them hanging down from the branches. Sometimes it seems there are more fruits than there are leaves. When it starts to ripen, it will be an adventure to pluck and pick them.

On the chosen day to harvest, even the neighbours will join in. Nobody needed to climb it as the tree is large in size and it had grown too high. We were all equipped with a long bamboo stick with a small sickle attached tightly to the end; to cut off the fruit branches for picking. Large rattan bags are prepared to accommodate the 'rambutan' fruits. While plucking we will be eating them juciy 'rambutan' fruits. There will be tea and 'kuih' served and once it is all done, we will sit down eating the fruits and drinking water, eating the 'kuih' and drinking tea. Those who came will go back with large bags of the fruits to be eaten later or to be taken home for those at home to eat.

The 'rambutan' tree had now grown too big and too tall that it endangered the house, if the branches were to break and fall down onto the house. It was then time to cut it off. Some people were called in to take the 'rambutan' tree down. A few will climb up the tree and cut down the branches one by one, until all are cut down. Lastly came when the big large 'rambutan' tree will be chopped off from the compound. With sadness, we saw it being cut down, carted away and discarded. That was the end of the juicy, large and sweet 'rambutan gading' tree.

Belajar Ngaji (Learning the Quran)

Boys as young as 6 are expected to learn to understand and read the Al'Quran. It is required of all young Muslim boys to go to a religious elder to learn to read the Al'Quran and to learn how to pray. The learning place could be a house, the surau, madrasah or at the mosque. The person who teach is normally a religious, not necessarily pious, but would have the command and understanding of the Al'Quran; normally an Imam or at least his assistant. On most occasion, the 'ustaz' or 'ustazah' will be sufficient.

I started learning the Al'Quran from the age of 7. My first place of learning was at Pak Cik Manat's house, a house approximately 200 metres from the edge of the small village. It was there that I learned the very basic of reading the 'mugaddam' (the 101 of Al'Quran). Every night on the way to go home, we would stop by the bread shop (Kedai Roti Mohd Tasadukkhan), as the time is just right for the bread to be ready; right out of the huge oven. It only cost RM0.10 sen for 2 slices (approximately 4" x 2" x 1" each slice). I was at Pak Cik Manat's house learning the 'mugaddam' for about 6 months; when then the village 'surau' was already ready; which is across the street where I lived.

At the new 'surau' I graduated from the 'mugaddam' and thereafter started learning the Al'Quran. Our ustaz was Lebai Awal, a short man with a short temper. There were about 20 boys and 20 girls learning from him. For being mischievous, I was canned twice, at 2 different times. Others who also misbehave would also get the whip from the cane. Nevertheless, I 'khatam' my Al'Quran reading and at the same time learned how to pray. On completion of the Al'Quran, a feast ws prepared, calling the whole village to celebrate my 'graduation' of the Al'Quran. My father came all the way from KL with a sheep to slaughter (for 'akekah' purposes). It was from the 'surau' that I learned how to read and understand the 'muqaddam' and the Al'Quran. All in all I took approximately 5 years to learn, understand and 'khatam' from Al'Quran; besides learning how to pray!

It is also traditional that for the coming of age into adulthood, as soon as you completed learning the Al'Quran, it is also time to circumcise. I did mine the next week after the feast - in 1968. That's another story.

White Volkswagen BH120

Ulong Leman (Sulaiman Mohd Zain) was a teacher at Tuanku Muhammad School, Kuala Pilah. He was also once the Headmaster at Sekolah Menengah Zaaba, Kuala Pilah. He was a teacher all his life and is now living in SS2/4. He was my mentor. He was my idol.

When he bought his first car, a white Volkswagen, I was one of the happiest boy in the village; for I will now go to school everyday in a car instead of the bus. Every morning, when he goes to work at Tuanku Muhammad School, Alang Udin (Shaharuddin - his brother) and me would go together in the car. I was in Standard 2 in Tunku Munawir School. I normally sit in front. When he drives, I would replicate whatever he was doing. Using the small handle bar at the front as the steering I would 'drive' together with him. I use the window slider by the door side (there were no auto window then) as my 'gear' replicating everything he does while driving the Volkswagen. 1st gear front, 2nd gear back, 3rd gear further front and 4th gear further back. However, there was no reverse gear!

Everyday, after school; and I would have finished earlier from my primary school, I will go to the place where he usually parks his car. Under the 'Flame of the Forest' tree next to the TMS school hall. I will wait for him and Alang Udin to come out, to take us home to Kampoing Senaling. Many years later, and I do not live in Senaling anymore; when he moved to Lembaga Peperiksaan in Jalan Duta, he sold the car and bought a Nissan Sunny (the 1st version), still white in colour. I will always remember that car, the first car I 'drove' - the Volkswagen with the number plate BH120.